Having a horse on trial before buying

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caramac

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I was just wondering if I could have a bit of advice on this situation please.

I am looking to purchase a new horse, went and viewed it on Friday and they have agreed I can have it on a week's trial and get it vetted whilst I have it on trial. They have asked for half the purchase price as a post dated cheque which they have promised they will only cash if I decide to keep the horse. If I don't want the horse they will return the cheque to me. They will also keep the horse's passport whilst he is on trial and let me have a photocopy of it. An agreement will also be drawn up.

I was just wondering if this is normal and if it sounds fair? My OH is a bit concerned as he is scared that we could get ripped off, and that they could cash the cheque and there could be a problem with the horse when it is vetted. I will be a novice horse owner and just want to make sure that I get the right horse. I know it involves a bit of trust on both sides and am just interested in what people think.

Thank you.
 
I think this sounds like a great idea!! IMO i think this has been thought through well!

If you are that worried why not ask for a two week trial with the deposit cheque dated for the end of the two weeks.
 
i think that sounds quite reasonable tbh i bought a horse 2months ago i had to put down a £400 deposit to secure the horse then when i got it home for a 2week trial i paid the full wack for it in agreement that if it didnt work out and pass the vetting in the 2weeks i had it i would get all my money back but i did get its passport and documents when the horse arrived at my yard but i had paid fully for the horse at that time

hope that helps and good luck xx
 
That sounds fair enough to me also, you have to remeber you could potentially "run off" with the horse (i am sure you wouldnt though!) and the owners just have to cover their backs in case!
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Getting a trial is lucky enough!!
 
I think she is really keen on making sure he goes to the right home. She came over to see where he would be kept at the weekend and is happy with all that, plus we are not too far away and she wants to keep in touch with the new owner. She has had a lot of phone calls about him but some are from quite a distance away and I think she would prefer it if he stayed local. It is more the question of the deposit that is a bit of a sticking point. I think her OH thinks we should be giving the full amount postdated and my OH is worried about giving them any amount. I was just wondering how generous their offer of a trial is?
 
The offer of a trial is fantastic, very few people would. The risks of the horse being not just stolen but damaged in some way are too high. I'd bite their hands off if I were you!
 
when i sent mine off on trial i took a £200 cash deposit and a post dated cheque for the rest (which was £3800) - but everyone said that was stupid and i should have taken half the cost because the cheque could bounce and in the meatime his new owners could dissapear (they didnt thank goodness)!

So i think that them taking half is fair enough, so long as you have an agreement drawn up that you both sign with a witness (or two witnesses to be safe) saying that you get all money returned if the horse fails the vetting or if you decide before a week has passed that you no longer wish to purchase the horse. That should help safeguard your money
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It doesnt sound like they will do a runner with your money, if you give them the cheque you are in thoery not giving them any money until the cheque becomes valid, if there are problems you can cancel the cheque at the bank.

As 'snowysadude' said i agree with that you are lucky that you get a trial, considering how many people buy horses on only 2 viewings! I also dont think i would personally see a problem if they wanted the full deposit.

She sounds like she does really care for her horse & wants the best for the horse, which is refreshing & wishes more owners were like that!

I think you are lucky to be offered the trial.

Fingers crossed this is the right horse and you enjoy them
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I think it sounds like a good idea...having a trial period on a horse is a brilliant thing, especially if you are a novice horse owner. Just make sure you have everything included in the agreement, such as return of all monies paid if the vetting is failed and document the type and condition of anything coming with the horse eg tack and rugs. Also list any existing conditions, scars, injuries etc.

Most of all though, enjoy having the horse on trial and make sure you test them out in all the situations you are likely to encounter with them!
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Sounds very reasonable to me... I have one for sale at the moment and have had a few people phoning and asking for a trial... funnily enough when I say no, they are no longer interested in the horse (before even seeing it!) Some people are just out for a free horse for a few weeks and there is absolutely no way I'd let mine go on trial. It sounds like they are keen to make sure you and the horse "click".

Yes, they could cash the cheque but you have the horse... they're taking a bigger risk than you IMO.

Just enjoy it!
 
Thanks everyone, and I know you probably all hate this type of questions but I was just wanting your views on price!!! He is a 15.1, 8 year old piebald cob gelding. Quiet and bombproof but also able to go up a gear if required as he has been on loan with 13 year old girl who has hunted him, done dressage on him, cross country (loves it and jumps clear at 3ft) and all pony club activities. She has won loads on him and he was reserve champion in their local riding club dressage league. My yard manager rode him as well as me and thought he had lovely paces and rounded really well. I took him out for a little hack and he completely ignored all the bird scarers going off, trotted home nicely and went straight past where he lives at trot without napping or hesitating and completely ignored the owners 3 bouncy labs who were jumping about all over him. Good to box, clip (she tidied up his hogged mane whilst we were there and he fell asleep!!), catch etc. She is asking £4,500 for him which includes all tack and rugs. Does this sound about right? Thank you!
 
Sounds a bit expensive to me - but if he's the right horse for you then he's worth what you are prepared to pay. Have you looked at other horses as a comparison ?
 
The owner is taking a far bigger risk than you and I am surprised she is not insisting on insurance to cover the situation. The only way I would let a horse out on trial with view to buy would be to insist on the actually selling the horse for the full purchase price and writing into the contract of sale that the buyer could return the horse within 2 weeks or a month or whatever if not totally satisfied, subject to a vetting paid for by the buyer before and after! Its a really risky thing to do and I think you're very lucky. There is so much competition to buy schoolmaster, riding club type horses that are really proven, theres generally no need to give a trial so I would say it would make me more suspicious of those sellers that were offering it!

Not in the this case though. It sounds like you are buying the right horse for the job. £4500 is a fair enough price for a 15.1 cob but he is only 8 and sounds really well schooled and experienced, and it also includes tack and rugs. Far better him than to save £1000 and end up with a greener, more spooky horse. My only concern would be that the seller is more experienced than you and the horse might play up with you in time (that being the nature of horses, to test the boundaries) but perhaps if she is local she would be able to help you in such a scenario.
 
I've scrolled through the other cobs on the website he is on. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive but in general his price seems to be about average.
 
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The owner is taking a far bigger risk than you and I am surprised she is not insisting on insurance to cover the situation.

Not in the this case though. It sounds like you are buying the right horse for the job. £4500 is a fair enough price for a 15.1 cob but he is only 8 and sounds really well schooled and experienced, and it also includes tack and rugs. Far better him than to save £1000 and end up with a greener, more spooky horse. My only concern would be that the seller is more experienced than you and the horse might play up with you in time (that being the nature of horses, to test the boundaries) but perhaps if she is local she would be able to help you in such a scenario.

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Yes, she has asked me to take out insurance for the time I have him on trial. I am lucky that I will be keeping him at a really nice livery yard with lots of really helpful, experienced people and I will be having lessons every week too, so I should have plenty of assistance in helping me iron out problems that may arise
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You are very lucky! Hope it works out
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Only thing I would say is get him vetted before you take him on trial.....otherwise you may fall in love with him and then find there is something wrong. Would also stop the owner from possibly saying it was your fault if anything happens in the vetting (unlikely by the sounds of it...but still....)
 
Sounds like a fab deal and he sounds like smashing horse, I think he ticks alot of boxes and by the sounds of things, he seems a really good sort often hard to find so I would definitely be happy and excited with you... Besides whilst he is ever so slightly pricey, I promise getting the right temperament is way more important and you will thank yourself over again you chose him as getting something not quite as relaxed or up for the job could quicly turn into a nightmare situation.

Best of luck he sounds fab.xx
 
When I stupidly put mine out on trial I took a cheque for half of her seling price and a £500 depisit for the saddle and I cashed them both. I did that because the contract said that if she was damaged/cosmetically altered in any way I would be keeping some of the money so should I have needed to keep some I could just give the potential buyers a cheque back or a slightly less amount.
 
Well, all negotiations have been done. He is arriving Friday and I have until the following Sunday to make my mind up and try him so will have him for just under 10 days. The vetting is arranged for Tuesday morning at my yard. Will keep you updated
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Make sure you have the horse vetted before you take it on trial.

Good luck. And let us know how you get on.
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p.s Also ensure that you are clear on who is insuring the horse whilst he's with you on trial.
 
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